The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

supported by a mighty host, the mighty son of the twin
gods exacted much wealth from them. After this
the hero marched towards the town of Bhojakata, and
there, O king of unfading glory, a fierce encounter
took place between him and the king of that city for
two whole days. But the son of Madri, vanquishing
the invincible Bhismaka, then defeated in battle the
king of Kosala and the ruler of the territories lying
on the banks of the Venwa, as also the Kantarakas and
the kings of the eastern Kosalas. The hero then
defeating both the Natakeyas and the Heramvaks in
battle, and subjugating the country of Marudha, reduced
Munjagrama by sheer strength. And the son of Pandu
then vanquished the mighty monarchs of the Nachinas
and the Arvukas and the various forest king of that
part of the country. Endued with great strength
the hero then reduced to subjection king Vatadhipa.
And defeating in battle the Pulindas, the hero then
marched southward. And the younger brother of
Nakula then fought for one whole day with the king
of Pandrya. The long-armed hero having vanquished
that monarch marched further to the south. And
then he beheld the celebrated caves of Kishkindhya
and in that region fought for seven days with the
monkey-kings Mainda and Dwivida. Those illustrious
kings however, without being tired an the encounter,
were gratified with Sahadeva. And joyfully addressing
the Kuru prince, they said,—­’O tiger
among the sons of Pandu, go hence, taking with the
tribute from us all. Let the mission of the king
Yudhishthira the just possessed of great intelligence,
be accomplished without hindrance. And taking
jewels and gems from them all, the hero marched towards
the city of Mahishmati, and there that bull of men
did battle with king Nila. The battle that took
place between king Nila and the mighty Sahadeva the
son of Pandu, that slayer of hostile heroes, was fierce
and terrible. And the encounter was an exceedingly
bloody one, and the life of the hero himself was exposed
to great risk, for the god Agni himself assisted king
Nila in that fight. Then the cars, heroes, elephants,
and the soldiers in their coats of mail of Sahadeva’s
army all appeared to be on fire. And beholding
this the prince of the Kuru race became exceedingly
anxious. And, O Janamejaya, at sight of this
the hero could not resolve upon what he should do.

Janamejaya said,—­O regenerate one, why
was it that the god Agni become hostile in battle
unto Sahadeva, who was fighting simply for the accomplishment
of a sacrifice (and therefore, for the gratification
of Agni himself)?

Vaisampayana said,—­’It is said, O
Janamejaya, that the god Agni while residing in Mahishmati,
earned the reputation of a lover. King Nila had
a daughter who was exceedingly beautiful. She
used always to stay near the sacred fire of her father,
causing it to blaze up with vigour. And it so
happened that king Nila’s fire, even if fanned,
would not blaze up till agitated by the gentle breath